DIY // Vampire Costume

October 28, 2015

So as I am continuing to share some of our DIY Halloween Costumes from the past, here is my little Count Dracula, or Vampire DIY Costume my little Ezra wore two years ago, 2013!
The scary make up is just classic.  I wouldn’t let him go too crazy on the blood drips, but we did add a little, and the cheap plastic vampire teeth completed the look!
Here’s a few tips to put together a DIY Vampire Costume: (affiliate links used)
And, there you have it!  A quick and easy DIY Vampire costume!  I’d suggest always checking out your local thrift store for key pieces, it’s always cheaper and the costume can come together quickly if you just find the key components like pants, vest, and cape!
Happy DIY’ing!
{all photos by me!}

DIY // Jedi Halloween Costume Tutorial

October 27, 2015

Star Wars Halloween Costume
I realized that over the years we have been able to pull off some pretty fun Halloween costumes for the kids, but as things get so busy around holidays with kids I haven’t had a chance to share a lot of them.
So, here it is, circa 2012 our little Jedi’s.  I can’t get over how little and cute my little Thomas was.  He was only 18 months old at the time.  What a cute little Jedi!
How to make a Jedi Costume
Jedi Costume Luke Skywalker
How to make a kids Jedi Costume
How to make a Jedi Costume
DIY Jedi Costumes- You will need: (affiliate links used)
  • Brown Pants (thrifted)
  • Brown Shirt 
  • Brown Leather Belt with buckle (thrifted)
  • Brown Boots (we borrowed our nieces brown Uggs, and had the other pair)
  • Light Sabers (we had, Tommy’s we picked up from the Dollar store)
  • Brown Robe (DIY) – see below
  • White Tunics (DIY) – see below
Jedi DIY Halloween Costume
For the Brown Jedi Robe, I was able to make them fairly easy using these Jedi Robe and Tunic instructions I found.  I laid a large piece of brown fabric on the ground, then folded over double on it’s self.  I had my kids lay down to see how long it would need to be.  I think I went pretty big on the hood so it would fit over their heads, and be large and wide when it laid on their backs.
The white tunics were pretty easy to replicate (instructions also in this tutorial) with some cream linen type fabric that we just criss crossed and safety pinned in the back and top, then placed the belt over the top to hold it in place.
The sewing part wasn’t too bad!  Just have to be able to sew in straight line for the most part!
Luke Skywalker Costume
And, voila!  A DIY homemade Jedi Halloween Costume!  My favorite costumes are the DIY/ Homemade ones!  It’s fun to get creative with a lot of items you already have!
And, weren’t my little Jedi’s so adorable?!  They loved being Obi-Wan Kenobi and Luke Skywalker, or Anakin.  I can’t totally remember!  Ha!

So, what are your plans for your kids this Halloween?  I think this year we will have two skeletons, and Princess Anna.

Be sure to check back all week, I’ll be sharing some great blast from the past Halloween costumes my kids have worn over the years.  So, if you are in need of a last minute DIY costume, I’ve got your back!

{all photos by me}

Recipe // Halloween Pumpkin Cupcakes

October 26, 2015

Fall Cupcakes
Can you believe it’s already Halloween this week?  I feel like Fall is really flying by this year, and we still have to visit the local Pumpkin patch!  Pretty soon, it will be Christmas!
Sometimes with the abundance of Fall activities, we don’t always have the time to whip up a homemade treat, but I think a semi-homemade treat is just fine every now and again when things get busy and you need to bring a last minute treat to a Halloween party.
So, here’s my solution!  I made cupcakes using a store bought spice cake mix, then I frosted them with some homemade Pumpkin Buttercream frosting.  The frosting makes the cupcake anyhow in my opinion!  Sometimes semi-homemade is the perfect solution!  Check out the recipe for homemade pumpkin buttercream frosting below!  It is amazing on cupcakes, as a filling, or for frosting a cake!
Recipe for Pumpkin Buttercream
Pumpkin Butter Cream Frosting (affiliate links used)

2 sticks unsalted butter, softened

½ cup pumpkin puree
1 tbs pumpkin pie spice
Pinch of sea salt
1lb 9 oz confectioner’s sugar, sifted
1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste
Fall Cupcakes
1) Cream the butter, salt, pumpkin puree, and pumpkin spice for about 2 minutes.  Slowly add the confectioners sugar ½ a cup at a time with a paddle attachment on the stand mixer on medium speed.  Mix until light and fluffy and combined, about 5 minutes, add vanilla bean paste.
Frost or pipe the cupcakes with the Pumpkin Butter Cream. I used this extra large French star tip to pipe them on! I thought it gave a cute look! I topped mine with these little mallow creme pumpkin candies to finish the look!

Be sure to store the cupcakes in the fridge, and pipe just before serving. With real pumpkin puree in the frosting, they can change consistency if left out a while.

Halloween Pumpkin Cupcakes
Homemade Pumpkin Buttercream Frosting
Hope this recipe helps with all your Fall Halloween or Thanksgiving Parties! They are the perfect Fall Cupcake, don’t you think? Encompassing fall flavors and colors!
{all photos by me}